Click here for a current list of food vendors on Governors Island. Hours are weather dependent and are subject to change. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food and eat at one of the many picnic tables scattered throughout the Island. Visitors may not bring alcohol onto the island but can purchase on-Island and consume it in designated areas.

Governors Island's website can be translated via Google Translate. Visitor maps are available in Simplified Chinese and Spanish. During the summer months, Visitor Guides are available at the Soissons Landing Welcome Center in English, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish.

Indoor restrooms are located inside the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Arts Center at Governors Island near Soissons Landing and at Yankee Pier, the west end of Liggett Terrace, South Battery, and near Slide Hill. All restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Due to temporary construction at Yankee Pier, NYC Ferry will operate via Pier 101 from September 30-October 4 and October 7-11 (weekdays only). Weekend service (October 5-6) will operate via Yankee Pier.

Due to tem­po­rary con­struc­tion, access to Fort Jay is lim­it­ed to the West Sal­ly Port entrance, locat­ed near Colonels Row (click here for a map). This entrance requires walk­ing up and down stairs and on uneven/​grassy ground. Fort Jay remains open Wednesday-Sunday, 10AM-5PM, and Other of Pearl remains open Friday-Sunday, 10AM-5PM. We apol­o­gize for any inconvenience.

Due to temporary planned work at Soissons Landing, evening ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island will leave from Pier 101 Monday through Thursday from September 16 to October 11. Please note, this only applies to ferries that leave the Island at 6:30pm or later. At all other times, ferries will leave as usual from Soissons Landing.

All ferries going to and from Governors Island, as well as the grounds of the island itself, are accessible to those in wheelchairs. Not all buildings on the Island are wheelchair accessible. Building 110, located next to Soissons Landing, is wheelchair accessible. All restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The Trust for Governors Island operates an accessible tram from Memorial Day to Labor Day, stopping at each ferry landing approximately every 30 minutes.

Visit the Welcome Centers at Soissons Landing and Yankee Pier, powered by the Friends of Governors Island. They're open Friday-Sunday for visitor maps, Island information, free guided walking tours, Governors Island merch, and more.

Groups visiting Governors Island are encouraged to limit themselves to 40 individuals or fewer. Those wishing to reserve more than 40 ferry tickets should email groupvisits@govisland.org at least two weeks in advance of their visit. The Trust for Governors Island offers special waived ferry fares for non-profit community-based organizations, youth camps, and senior centers throughout New York City, subject to availability. Please email groupvisits@govisland.org at least two weeks in advance of your requested visit date to learn more.

The Trust for Governors Island continues its dedication to environmental stewardship through its Zero Waste Island initiative. In partnership with Earth Matter NY, Inc. the Trust aims to reduce the amount of waste from the Island going to landfills by:

• Ensuring all recycling stations on the Island include a color-coded, clearly labeled compost bin.
• Mandating that serviceware from all vendors and events on the Island is compostable.
• Composting all organics collected on the Island at Earth Matter’s Compost Learning Center and returning the finished product to the Island’s landscapes.
• Prohibiting plastic straws, plastic bags, and Styrofoam.
• Creating a community of Island tenants, partners, vendors and events that are committed to composting and recycling.

Visitors can participate in the Zero Waste Initiative by practicing “Think Before You Throw” when putting waste in a bin, and can appreciate the results by enjoying the Island’s vibrant landscapes that thrive on nutrients from Island-made compost.

Due to necessary repairs, the Kayak Dock at Pier 101 is currently not in service. Please stay tuned for updates as we work to restore landing for human-powered vessels.